Luis Enrique and Ousmane Dembele agree on brutal PSG issue before Arsenal Champions League clash

An "excess of confidence" was how Luis Enrique described his Paris Saint-Germain side after they allowed Aston Villa back into the Champions League quarter-final. From 2-0 up on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, it was almost level just 20 minutes into the second half.

Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Villa three times with great saves.

PSG had, star attack Ousmane Dembele admitted, "thought we were too good." He added that: "At 2-1, we thought we had already qualified and that it was over.”

In the end, he was right. This was enough for PSG and Villa's fightback was in vain. They came close to levelling things dramatically, but the decisive goal was Nuno Mendes' before the half-hour mark. Somehow only one would separate the sides at the end.

It left Unai Emery on the floor and Villa Park shattered. PSG players celebrated in relief rather than joy. Everyone was in a reflective mood afterwards, including midfielder Vitinha.

"[We] created problems for ourselves," he said. Enrique was not holding back either as he continued to say that his side were "playing at a level that was not befitting of the Champions League."

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Marquinhos, the club captain, said that there had been "drops in intensity that we must not repeat in the semi-finals." Ahead of facing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, it is telling just how brutally clinical Arsenal were against Real Madrid.

When William Saliba did let Vinicius Jr in to score a consolation there was no threat that it became any more than just that.

In the weeks since scraping by, Enrique has chosen to try and keep his squad fresh. They have had three games in a week before the visit to north London and slowly things have ramped up.

From a heavily rotated team to one with most senior players back - minus one or two in each game being left to the bench or rested entirely - PSG have opted to use the depth that Mikel Arteta does not have available. It has largely been rewarded as well.

Last Sunday, they fielded two teenagers and won 2-1 against relegation-fighting Le Havre. Onto Tuesday and welcoming back the big hitters came in a 1-1 away draw to Nantes. This kept up their unbeaten Ligue 1 season but only for a few days.

The difference is the talent advantage that PSG have over their domestic rivals compared to Arsenal's tougher league fights.

So the question is, as Enrique alluded to last week, has there been a motivation issue? He had said that going unbeaten was big goal now for the Ligue 1 season but that is over. Have PSG dropped their levels again, just as they did in the second half at Villa? Is this a weakness that this young team just cannot get over right now?

Enrique will absolutely hope not. His side cannot afford to be off it against Arsenal., especially in the away leg.

PSG should be able to get themselves going again for what is undoubtedly a much more important match to come. Nevertheless, they have showed a crack to their game which will invite pressure and inspire hope from Arsenal.

The brutal self reflection after Villa combined with Enrique's acceptance that PSG have a mental battle ahead is a glimmer for Arsenal to take. It is small things like these that could make all the difference over two games and 180 minutes of crucial football.